Politics

Reid Passes 'Nuclear Option,' Changes Rules on Filibuster

(NEWSER) – The so-called "nuclear option" just happened: In a victory for Democrats, the Senate voted today to weaken filibusters and make it harder for Republicans to block confirmation of the president's nominees for judges and other top posts, reports the AP. The mostly party-line vote was 52-48. It came after a series of procedural moves and angry accusations from both parties' leaders. “It’s time to change the Senate before this institution becomes obsolete," Harry Reid said before the vote, as per Politico. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell countered, "You’ll regret this and you might regret it even sooner than you might think."